Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have thwarted an attempt by a truck driver to divert and sell 670 bags of guinea corn valued at about N33 million.
The suspects, identified as Monday, 46, and his assistant, Kareem, 40, were arrested by operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit in the Irepo area of Oyo Town, where the truck carrying the goods had been parked while awaiting prospective buyers.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the operation was carried out following credible intelligence and on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola.
He said, “officers stormed the hideout of a syndicate allegedly involved in diverting and unlawfully converting goods in transit”.
The police recovered an IVECO truck with registration number MUS 809 XY, loaded with the 670 bags of guinea corn.
Investigations revealed that the goods were loaded in Kaduna State and were meant for delivery in Ibadan, Oyo State. However, the driver allegedly diverted the consignment after reaching Ogbomoso and attempted to sell it in Oyo Town for N11 million, far below its market value.
During interrogation, Monday reportedly admitted to the offence and explained that he had planned to sell the goods before disappearing with the proceeds.
He claimed it was his first involvement in such an act.
Narrating his actions, the suspect said he obtained the contact of a potential buyer through individuals he met in Oyo Town and had already arranged a meeting before police operatives arrived and arrested him.
His assistant, Kareem, denied any knowledge of the alleged diversion.
He stated that he had only recently resumed working with Monday after his restaurant business failed and was unaware of any plans to sell the goods illegally.
The owner of the consignment, Comrade Gabriel Abba, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (Heavy Duty Trucks) in Kaduna, expressed relief that the goods were recovered.
Abba explained that the driver had approached him for a transport job and was entrusted with the delivery after presenting himself as a legitimate transporter.
He said the driver received funds for fuel and travel expenses but later began providing misleading information about his location while requesting additional payments.
According to him, he became alarmed when communication with the driver became suspicious, only to later receive a call from the police informing him that the goods had been recovered and the suspects arrested.
He commended the Oyo State Police Command for its swift intervention and intelligence-driven operation, noting that their actions prevented a major financial loss.
The police said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.